Apple rolls out background security update for iPhone, iPad, Mac: What's it

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 18, 2026 | Technology

Apple has released its first public Background Security Improvement update for iPhone, iPad and MacBook. According to Apple, the update is designed to deliver smaller security fixes in the background without requiring a full software update, focusing on improving system safety. The rollout includes four versions: iOS 26.3.1, iPadOS 26.3.1, macOS 26.3.1 and macOS 26.3.2. According to a report from 9To5Mac, Apple has rolled out two separate macOS updates, likely because its newer MacBook Neo operates on a slightly different macOS version than other Macs.

Background Security Improvement: What the update fixes

According to Apple’s support page, this Background Security Improvement addresses a vulnerability in WebKit, the browser engine used by Safari and other apps. The issue could allow maliciously crafted web content to bypass the Same Origin Policy, a security feature that normally prevents websites from accessing data across different domains. Apple said the problem was linked to a cross-origin issue in the Navigation API and has now been fixed with improved input validation.

Background Security Improvements: What is it

Background Security Improvements are a new type of update from Apple that focuses on delivering smaller, targeted security patches. Instead of waiting for major software updates, Apple can push fixes for key components like the Safari browser, WebKit framework and other system libraries more frequently. Before this public release, Apple had already tested the system with sample updates. This new system allows Apple to respond faster to security issues without requiring users to install an entirely new OS build.

The feature replaces Apple’s earlier Rapid Security Response system introduced with iOS 16. According to a previous report, that system was used infrequently and later discontinued after issues emerged, including a 2023 bug that caused some websites to fail to load properly. Apple now seems to be positioning Background Security Improvements as a more reliable and consistent alternative.

Background Security Improvements: How it works

As per 9To5Mac, Background Security Improvements can be installed by heading to Settings > Privacy and Security and selecting the available update. Users can also enable an Automatically Install option, which allows these security fixes to be applied in the background as they are released.

For users who choose not to enable the feature, Apple says the same security fixes will still be delivered later as part of standard iOS, macOS and iPadOS software updates.

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OPPO Find X9 Ultra may get two 200MP cameras and SD 8 Elite Gen 5: Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 18, 2026 | Technology

The OPPO Find X9 Ultra will reportedly sport two 200MP cameras on the back and be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. According to a report by 9To5Google, citing GSMArena, possible specifications and design of the upcoming OPPO Find X9 Ultra have surfaced on the web, revealing key details.

For the uninitiated, this will be the first time that OPPO will expand its Ultra model in the flagship series beyond China. Since this is going to be a global release, it is possible that the smartphone may launch in India as well.

OPPO Find X9 Ultra: What to expect

As per the report, the Find X9 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1440 × 3120 resolution, along with NanoCrystal Glass protection. The smartphone is likely to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, paired with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.

The report further suggests that the device could pack a 7,050mAh battery with support for 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, both using proprietary fast-charging technology.

In terms of design, the handset is expected to feature a metal frame, with select variants offering a faux leather back. The OPPO Find X9 Ultra is expected to weigh between 235g and 236g, with a thickness ranging from 8.56mm to 9.1mm depending on the variant.

Cameras are likely to remain the highlight of the device. As per 9To5Google, the Find X9 Ultra is expected to feature a quad rear camera setup comprising a 200MP primary sensor, a 200MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom and a 50MP ultra-wide camera. On the front, it is said to include a 50MP selfie shooter. The device is also expected to retain Hasselblad’s “Master Mode” for imaging.

It is to be noted that OPPO earlier said that the Find X9 Ultra will feature its most advanced smartphone imaging system to date, combining upgraded optical engineering with camera technologies co-developed alongside Hasselblad. The company will position the device as a camera-focused flagship aimed at delivering professional-grade photography performance within a smartphone form factor.

OPPO Find X9 Ultra to earn the “Ultra” tag

OPPO Europe CEO Elvis Zhou earlier stated that the “Ultra” label should reflect meaningful hardware advancements, adding that the Find X9 Ultra is intended to set a new benchmark for mobile imaging. This means that the Ultra variant will beat the existing OPPO Find X9 and X9 Pro.

For reference, the OPPO Find X9 Pro currently stands as OPPO’s flagship offering in India, with a starting price of Rs 1,09,999. It features a 6.78-inch full HD+ AMOLED display with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 3,600 nits. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the device runs on Android 16 with ColorOS 16 on top.

For imaging, the Pro model includes a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens and a 200MP telephoto camera that supports up to 13.2x lossless zoom. On the front, it houses a 50MP camera. The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset and is backed by a 7,500mAh battery with support for 80W wired charging, 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.

The OPPO Find X9, which starts at Rs 74,999 in India, comes with a slightly smaller 6.59-inch full HD+ AMOLED display. It also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, offers up to 3,600 nits peak brightness and features a 120Hz refresh rate. Similar to the Pro variant, it uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection.

In terms of cameras, the standard model gets a triple rear setup comprising 50MP primary, 50MP ultra-wide and 50MP telephoto sensors, along with a 32MP front-facing camera. It is also powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset and packs a 7,025mAh battery with support for 80W wired, 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging.

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OPPO A6s 5G with 6,500mAh battery launched in India: Check Price, specs

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 18, 2026 | Technology

OPPO has launched the OPPO A6s 5G smartphone in India, the latest addition to its A-series. Starting at Rs 18,999, the OPPO A6s is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip and packs a 6,500mAh battery. The company claims that it can offer up to 882 hours of standby time and 22.4 hours of video playback.

OPPO A6s 5G: Price and variants

4GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs 18,999

6GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs 20,999

Colours: Aurora Gold and Plum Purple

OPPO A6s 5G: Availability and offers

According to the company, the smartphone is now available through e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart, the OPPO Store and select retail outlets. As for the introductory offer, customers can get cashback of Rs 1,000 and up to three months of no-interest equated monthly instalment (EMI) on select bank cards. Additionally, zero down payment options for up to eight months are available.

OPPO A6s 5G: Details

The OPPO A6s 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor paired with up to 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. The smartphone features a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP secondary lens. The company said that it is also optimised for night photography and portrait bokeh scenarios. On the front, the smartphone has a 5MP selfie camera for selfies, video calls and more.

The OPPO A6s 5G measures 8.61mm and weighs around 212g. The smartphone sports a 6.75-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,125 nits of peak brightness.

The device packs a 6,500mAh battery which supports 45W charging. The company claims that the phone charges from 1 per cent to 41 per cent in about 30 minutes.

The smartphone runs on ColorOS 15 based on Android 15 and includes system-level optimisation for smoother animations and multitasking. It also features AI GameBoost for improved gaming performance and Splash Touch support for better responsiveness.

The smartphone includes AI LinkBoost 3.0, which helps maintain stable network connectivity in weak signal areas. The company said it is designed to optimise network performance for active apps, especially in crowded or low-coverage environments.

OPPO A6s 5G: Specifications

Display: 6.75-inch LCD, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,125 nits peak brightness

Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300

RAM: Up to 6GB RAM

Storage: 128GB

Rear camera: 50MP main + 2MP secondary

Front camera: 5MP

Thickness: 8.61mm

Weight: 212g

Battery: 6,500mAh

Charging: 45W fast charging

Operating system: ColorOS 15 based on Android 15

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OpenAI launches GPT-5.4 mini, nano for faster AI workloads: Check details

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 18, 2026 | Technology

OpenAI has introduced GPT-5.4 mini and GPT-5.4 nano, its latest smaller AI models which are said to have been designed to deliver faster responses and improved efficiency for high-volume workloads. The company said that the new models bring several capabilities of the larger GPT-5.4 model to more lightweight systems, with a focus on speed, cost and responsiveness.

The launch follows the recent rollout of GPT-5.4 (referred to as GPT-5.4 Thinking in ChatGPT), which the company positions as its most capable model for professional use.

Multimodal understanding and everyday use

According to OpenAI, GPT-5.4 mini offers improvements over GPT-5 mini across areas such as coding, reasoning, multimodal understanding and tool usage, while also running more than twice as fast. The company said the model approaches the performance of the larger GPT-5.4 model in several evaluations, particularly in coding-related tasks.

GPT-5.4 nano, on the other hand, is positioned as the smallest and most cost-efficient option in the lineup. As per OpenAI, it is intended for simpler and repetitive tasks such as classification, data extraction, ranking and supporting coding workflows.

Both models have been claimed to be designed for scenarios where response time plays a critical role, including coding assistants, systems that interpret screenshots and applications that work with both text and images in real time. OpenAI said in such use cases, faster and more efficient models can often be more practical than larger ones.

Focus on coding, subagents and computer-based tasks

OpenAI highlighted that GPT-5.4 mini performs strongly in coding workflows that require quick iteration, such as editing code, debugging and navigating large codebases. The model is also said to be suited for systems that combine multiple AI models, where larger models handle planning while smaller models like GPT-5.4 mini take on narrower tasks in parallel.

This approach allows developers to build systems where different models work together, improving both speed and efficiency.

The company said that the model is also designed to handle computer-based tasks, including interpreting screenshots of user interfaces and interacting with digital environments. It added that GPT-5.4 mini shows improved performance in such multimodal use cases compared to GPT-5 mini.

Availability

OpenAI said that GPT-5.4 mini is now available across the API, Codex and ChatGPT. In ChatGPT, it can be accessed by Free and Go users through the “Thinking” feature in the “+” menu, while for other users it functions as a rate-limit fallback for GPT-5.4 Thinking.

Within Codex, the model is available across the app, CLI, IDE extension and web, and is designed to handle simpler coding tasks at a lower cost. It can also be used as part of systems where more complex tasks are handled by larger models. GPT-5.4 nano, meanwhile, is available through the API.

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After Galaxy S26, Google rolls out Gemini task automation to Pixel 10

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 18, 2026 | Technology

Google has reportedly started rolling out Gemini screen automation, also known as Gemini task automation, to the Pixel 10 series as part of the March 2026 Feature Drop. The feature was first introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup last month and is now expanding to Google’s own devices, according to 9To5Google.

Gemini screen automation allows the Gemini AI assistant to carry out tasks inside supported apps based on user prompts, such as ordering food or booking rides, without requiring users to manually go through each step. Google reportedly started rolling out Gemini task automation in beta to the Samsung Galaxy S26 series earlier this week.

What Gemini task automation does

Gemini task automation is designed to handle routine actions across apps. Instead of opening an app and completing tasks manually, users can simply give a prompt. The assistant then opens the required app in the background and performs the necessary steps.

For example, if a user asks Gemini to order food or book a ride, it can enter locations, browse menus and add items to a cart automatically. The process runs in the background, meaning users can continue using their phone for other activities like messaging or browsing.

Progress is shown through notifications, allowing users to keep track of what the assistant is doing. At any point, users can step in if needed. The system does not finish transactions on its own. It stops at the final confirmation step, giving users a chance to review details before placing an order or confirming a booking. According to Google, users get options like “View progress” and “Stop task.” The report said the app runs in a secure virtual window on the device, with processing handled through the cloud.

Gemini task automation currently works with a limited number of apps, mainly in food delivery and ride-hailing. These include Uber, Lyft, Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash and Starbucks.

Usage limits and availability

Like other Gemini features, task automation reportedly comes with usage limits. Free users can make up to five requests per day, while higher-tier plans offer increased limits—12 for AI Plus, 20 for AI Pro and up to 120 for AI Ultra.

The report added that once the feature is available, users can find it by going to the Gemini app settings and enabling “Screen automation.” As reported, it is currently rolling out to Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL devices running Android 16 QPR3 in the US. The setting has also appeared on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, although it is reportedly not listed.

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Fortnite will return on Google Play Store in India on March 19: Details

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 18, 2026 | Technology

After a six-year-long tussle with Google, Epic Games’ Fortnite is set to return to Android’s Play Store in India. Fortnite’s official X account recently posted that no matter where users are, the renowned battle royale game will be back for them on the Google Play Store from March 19. Notably, the game was listed back on the Google Play Store earlier last year in December in the US, but now it is set to reach India as well as other regions.

Fortnite gets delisted from Google Play Store and what followed

The dispute between Epic Games and Google dates back to August 2020, when Epic introduced its own in-app payment system in Fortnite, bypassing Google Play’s billing mechanism. In response, Google removed the game from the Play Store for violating its policies, leading Epic to file a lawsuit accusing the company of maintaining an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution and payments. Epic contended that while Android technically allows sideloading, Google’s agreements with device makers and developers effectively restricted meaningful competition.

While Google settled similar antitrust complaints from Match Group and a group of US states with limited policy changes, Epic chose not to accept a financial settlement, instead pushing for wider structural reforms. In December 2023, a federal jury unanimously sided with Epic, finding that Google had engaged in monopolistic practices. The ruling directed Google to allow third-party app stores within the Play Store, discontinue preferential revenue-sharing arrangements and enable developers to direct users to alternative payment options.

Google challenged the verdict, but on July 31, 2025, an appeals court upheld the decision, marking a significant victory for Epic. This paved the way for the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to return to the Play Store without earlier restrictions. However, the reinstatement was not immediate, with Google taking over four months to bring the game back in the US and more than six months in other regions.

Fortnite had earlier faced a similar removal from the Apple App Store as well, though it was reinstated for iOS users in May last year.

What is Fortnite

Fortnite is a multiplayer online game developed by Epic Games and released in 2017. It is widely known for its battle royale mode, where up to 100 players compete on a single map until only one player or team remains. While the game offers multiple modes, the battle royale format continues to be its most widely played. Its gameplay combines third-person shooting mechanics with a real-time building system, allowing players to construct defensive or strategic structures during combat.

Beyond its core gameplay, Fortnite is regularly updated with seasonal changes, new content and limited-time events, often tied to collaborations with major entertainment franchises. These partnerships have helped sustain its popularity, especially among younger audiences.

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